Demonstrate conformity
Show that your management system meets the requirements of an ISO management system standard.
Independent ISO Audit & Certification
Demonstrate conformity with ISO standards.
Credible independent assurance for organisations that do not specifically require UKAS-accredited certification.
A proportionate certification pathway
Not every organisation requires UKAS-accredited certification.
For many businesses, the requirement is simply to obtain independent evidence that their management system has been audited against the requirements of an internationally recognised ISO standard and found to conform.
NDC Certification Bureau provides an independent third-party audit pathway designed for organisations that want credible external assurance without the additional requirements associated with UKAS-accredited certification.
Independent assurance
When is an independent NDC audit suitable?
Independent verification
Obtain credible third-party verification rather than relying on self-declaration.
Customer and supply-chain evidence
Provide evidence of conformity for customers or supply-chain partners.
Governance assurance
Add external assurance for governance and management purposes.
Continual improvement
Support implementation of ISO standards as part of ongoing organisational improvement.
No UKAS-specific requirement
Use an independent route where no contract, regulation or tender specifically requires UKAS-accredited certification.
Standards assessed
Independent audits across key ISO standards.
Our auditors assess your management system against the applicable requirements.
- ISO 9001 – Quality Management
- ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
- ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety
- ISO/IEC 27001 – Information Security
- ISO 22301 – Business Continuity
- ISO 42001 – Artificial Intelligence Management
Independent conformity assessment
External evidence against recognised ISO requirements.
ISO develops and publishes international standards but does not itself certify organisations.
An independent third-party audit provides external evidence that your management system has been assessed against the relevant ISO requirements.
Where those requirements are demonstrated, NDC can provide independent certification of conformity within the scope of our certification services.
This can provide a practical and proportionate solution for many organisations where UKAS accreditation has not been specifically requested.
CAB vs NAB
What's the difference?
A Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) performs conformity assessment activities such as certification, inspection or testing.
A National Accreditation Body (NAB) provides accreditation of CABs for specified conformity assessment activities. In the UK, UKAS is the National Accreditation Body.
UKAS accreditation provides an additional level of independent assurance over the competence of an accredited certification body. However, accredited certification is not required in every situation.
For many organisations, an independent third-party audit provides the level of external assurance they need.
Choose the right pathway
Match certification to the requirement.
Choose UKAS-accredited certification where it is specifically required by your customer, contract, tender, regulator or supply chain.
Consider NDC independent certification where you need credible third-party evidence that your management system has been independently audited against the ISO requirements and UKAS accreditation has not been specified.
Not sure which ISO certification you need?
Talk to NDC about your certification requirements →Choose the appropriate certification pathway.
We help you choose the appropriate certification pathway based on your customer requirements, industry, risk profile and business objectives.